asked the Minister for Local Government why the grant in respect of a new house has not been paid to an applicant (name supplied) in Portaoise; the reason for the long delay in failing to pay the grant to the contractor of the applicant who has been in occupation of the house since the 24th December, 1969, and who has made repeated inquiries concerning it; if the house has been inspected since the 24th December, 1969; if so, on what date; if it was found to be completed satisfactorily in accordance with the specification and plans submitted; and, if so, why a certificate cannot now be issued so that the applicant may obtain a supplementary grant from the local authority; and if he will hold an inquiry into the circumstances of this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grant Application.
7.
An application for payment of a grant in this case was received on 26th January last. My inspector, who visited the area on 18th February, reported that certain development works had not then been completed. In view of this, and as an interim measure, a certificate was sent to the applicant for completion, to enable an instalment of the grant to be paid and this instalment has now been paid. A further inspection will be carried out shortly and the balance of the grant will be paid without delay if all relevant works are found to be satisfactorily completed.
It is open to a local authority to pay an instalment of a supplementary grant when an instalment of the State grant has been paid.